By Benjamin Finnerty (S), REALTOR® (RS-83812) with Keller Williams Realty Maui · Kīhei, Maui · 808-481-9748

Quick Answer: Moving to Maui with pets means meeting Hawaiʻi’s rabies quarantine rules. As of the state’s Oct. 2, 2026 FAQ update, the 5 Day Or Less program costs $244 per pet and the 120-day program costs $1,080. Dogs and cats need two rabies vaccines, a microchip and a passing FAVN blood test, followed by a 30-day wait before arrival.

I’m Benjamin Finnerty, a REALTOR® in Kīhei with Keller Williams Realty Maui, and moving to Maui with pets is a timing question worth planning early. The paperwork runs on its own clock, separate from your closing or lease date, and the housing side has its own rules. Here’s how both pieces fit together this fall.

What are Hawaiʻi’s pet quarantine programs and fees?

Hawaiʻi is rabies-free, and the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s Animal Quarantine program is how the state keeps it that way. The fees below are from the department’s FAQ pages, updated Oct. 2, 2026. The department notes prices are subject to change and there are no multi-pet discounts.

Program or charge	Fee per pet (as of Oct. 2, 2026)
Direct release program	$185
5 Day Or Less program	$244
120-day program	$1,080
Early arrival (before waiting period ends)	$14.30 per day, plus $244
Neighbor island 120-day program	About $136, plus satellite facility fees

Active-duty service members may be reimbursed up to $550 per family, subject to command approval, according to the department.

What does my dog or cat need to qualify for 5 Day Or Less?

According to the department, a pet needs:

• At least two rabies vaccinations in its lifetime, given at least 30 days apart.
• A most recent vaccine given at least 30 days before arrival, and still current (within 12 months for a one-year vaccine, or 36 months for a three-year vaccine).
• A working microchip, so the blood sample can be matched to the pet.
• An OIE-FAVN rabies blood test result above 0.5 IU/ml.
• A 30-day waiting period before arrival, counted from the date the lab receives the blood sample.
• A notarized Dog and Cat Import Form (AQS-279) sent ahead of arrival.

If a pet arrives before its waiting period ends, it doesn’t qualify for the shorter program and stays in quarantine longer, with daily charges.

Can my pet fly directly into Kahului Airport?

Usually not on the first arrival. The department’s FAQ says Honolulu is the only port of entry for all animals. It lists Kahului, along with Kona and Līhuʻe, as a direct airport release option for resident dogs and cats returning to Hawaiʻi after travel. If you’re moving here for the first time, plan on your pet arriving in Honolulu, then connecting to Maui, and confirm the current routing with the Animal Quarantine Station before you book flights.

The FAQ notes that pets arriving in Honolulu after 3 p.m. spend the night at the airport facility and move to the main station the next morning, which can affect your connection.

How far ahead should I start the pet paperwork?

Start several months before your move. The two rabies vaccines must be at least 30 days apart, and the 30-day waiting period only starts once the lab receives the blood sample. Lab turnaround, vet appointment availability and airline pet rules add time. I suggest working backward from your arrival date and adding a cushion, because a delay can mean a longer quarantine. My post on timing your car, pets and closing shows how this fits with shipping and escrow.

Guide dogs and certified service dogs are exempt from quarantine but still need a current rabies vaccination, a passing FAVN result before arrival, and certification.

Can a Maui landlord charge a pet deposit?

Yes, within limits. Under Hawaiʻi’s landlord-tenant code (HRS 521-44), a landlord can collect a security deposit of up to one month’s rent, plus a separate pet deposit of up to one month’s rent if a pet lives in the unit. No pet deposit applies to a tenant with no pet, or to an assistance animal that is a reasonable accommodation for a tenant with a disability. Pet rules in a lease are otherwise up to the owner and any association rules, so ask before you apply. My guide to renting on Maui under Hawaiʻi landlord-tenant rules covers the rest of the rental basics.

What about pet rules in Maui condos?

Every association sets its own rules. An association’s bylaws or house rules may limit the number, size or type of pets, and some require registration. If you’re buying a condo and bringing a pet, read the current bylaws and house rules during due diligence and ask the managing agent whether any changes are pending. Requests for assistance animals are handled separately under fair housing law, through the association’s reasonable accommodation process.

My Take: What I’m Telling Buyers and Renters Moving With Pets

Treat the pet timeline as a fixed date in your move plan. If your closing or lease start is flexible and the FAVN waiting period isn’t, schedule around the waiting period. Compare the cost of a few weeks of short-term housing on arrival with the cost of extra quarantine days before you lock in dates.

For condo buyers, I put the association’s pet rules in the same category as rental rules and HOA dues: something to confirm in writing before going firm. For single-family buyers, check fencing and gates, and any yard improvements needed for your pet, so they’re part of your offer budget.

If you’re renting first, get the pet terms, deposit amount and any monthly pet fee in the lease itself.

This is general information, not tax or legal advice; confirm with a CPA or Hawaiʻi attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to bring a dog to Maui?
State quarantine fees as of Oct. 2, 2026 are $244 per pet for 5 Day Or Less and $1,080 for 120-day quarantine, plus vet, lab and airline costs.

Do pets have to quarantine when moving to Maui?
Pets that meet the 5 Day Or Less requirements can qualify for a short stay or release, depending on arrival. Pets that don’t meet them face a longer quarantine.

Can I fly my pet straight to Kahului?
The state’s FAQ lists Honolulu as the only port of entry, with Kahului direct release listed for resident pets returning after travel. Confirm with the Animal Quarantine Station first.

Can a Maui landlord charge extra for a pet?
Under HRS 521-44, a pet deposit can be up to one month’s rent, on top of the security deposit, but not for an assistance animal that is a reasonable accommodation.

Ask Benjamin

If you’re planning a move to Maui and want help lining up your housing search with your pet’s timeline, I’m Benjamin Finnerty, and I’d be glad to help. Call or text 808-481-9748 or email benjamin@the808team.com.

Sources: Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Animal Quarantine FAQs (updated Oct. 2, 2026); Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes §521-44.